Mr Deputy Speaker,

May I point out to the Right Honourable Member that if protecting the public, particularly those who do not wish to be around secondhand smoke, and discouraging smokers from the practice, are the two priorities of public health policy, those two priorities are in this argument engaged in conflict.

Forcing smokers to smoke outside may discourage smoking, but in practice many smokers opt to do so, and such a notion fails to protect non-smokers as they enter and exit the premises. Non-smokers would be better protected by a designated smoking room.

Discouraging the practice should be the greater priority of public health policy, but both priorities are noble goals and there is no harm in adjusting our approach to suit different contexts and demands.